313 Eggmühl - Day 2 French Right (22 April 1809)

Eggmühl - 22 April 1809 (Day 2 French Right)

Historical BackgroundWhile the Württembergers were fighting for Eggmühl, Napoleon had been building up his cavalry just south of the Grosse Laaber. Once Eggmuhl was secure, he ordered his squadrons forward. Austrian General Rosenberg could see the developing threat, and had appealed to Charles earlier in the day for the Austrian Cuirassier Division, but his request was met with no response.Left with few options, when the first of Napoleon’s cavalry crossed the river, Rosenberg ordered what little cavalry he had on hand to move forward to obstruct the crossing. Predictably, the outnumbered Austrian horsemen were repulsed. Meanwhile, on the extreme French right, Gudin’s division attacked Bieber’s brigade and the Austrians were forced to fall back to the woods, where they managed to hold their ground and prevent the French from advancing any further. With reverses along the whole front, Charles decided to withdraw and sent Rosenberg an order to pull back as best he could. About the same time, the French cavalry was now all across Grosse Laaber, making a withdrawal difficult.Although they were heavily outnumbered, Rosenberg ordered his decimated cavalry to charge yet again and buy time for the infantry to withdraw.The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?